After rolling his right ankle during Monday’s practice, New Orleans Hornets rookie shooting guard Austin Rivers participated in Tuesday's practice without limitations. He is expected to start Wednesday night against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center.

Rivers said his ankle remains sore but is not serious enough to prevent him from playing. Prior to Monday, Rivers sprained his right ankle twice last month and he suffered a sprained left index finger that forced him to miss last week’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

"I just like to play,’’ Rivers said after Tuesday’s practice. "I can’t stand sitting there watching basketball. I have to do something to help.’’

Rivers said he’s not considering wearing a brace to protect his ankle better but plans to tape it more. Rivers required surgery this summer on his right ankle to remove bone spurs.

Rivers, the 10th overall pick in the June NBA draft,

New Orleans Hornets rookie shooting guard Austin Rivers.TP file photo

sprained his right ankle twice in the same week in preseason games against the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat last month.

In the Oct. 26 game against the Heat, Rivers appeared to get tangled within himself after slipping as Miami guard Norris Cole, who was guarding Rivers, ran past him. Rivers then fell backward, twisting the ankle again.

"It feels fine, but you have to fight through that stuff,’’ Rivers said. "My dad always gets mad at me because you got to make decisions on your own. If you can’t play, you shouldn’t play. But I’ve got to play.’’

Rivers has struggled after four games, making only seven-of-32 shots from the field and missing all six attempts from 3-point range. He is averaging 5.5 points a game.

"I’ve played four games so far and I’ve learned a lot of things that I can do a lot better,’’ Rivers said. "That’s what I have to do in keep going forward. You can’t worry about what I haven’t done. I haven’t played my best, but that’s fine. We’re winning, though, and I know I’m getting better.’’